Jaynes, Kruczko, McBride named top AU athletes for 2024-25
Staff report
Cross-country and track standout Avery Jaynes was named male athlete of the year, and volleyball’s Sophia Kruczko and distance runner Emily McBride were named female co-athletes of the year at the Augusta University Athletics awards banquet on April 30.
Jaynes was an all-region runner in cross-country. Jaynes led the AU men’s cross country team to its sixth straight Peach Belt Conference championship back in October. Jaynes won the individual title.
The Jaguar runner continued his outstanding work in the spring at the PBC outdoor championships with wins in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs. He is attempting to qualify for both for the NCAA Division II nationals. Jaynes was named most outstanding track athlete at the Peach Belt Outdoors.
Jaynes has an NCAA Division II provisional qualifying time in the 5,000 after he ran 13:51.61 at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif. That is both the AU and Peach Belt Conference record now.
Kruczko, the senior who transferred from East Carolina before her junior season, led the AU volleyball team to a 21-8 record. She led AU in kills with 241. The right-side hitter was named honorable mention all-America and all-regional. Kruczko was also the recipient of the Tommy Werrick Scholar-Athlete Award. She majors in communication and plans to play professionally in Europe after she graduates on May 9.
McBride, who won the Peach Belt championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, was named all-region in cross-country after leading the Jaguars to a second-place finish in the PBC meet. McBride was also all-conference as she finished fifth in the XC championships.
The Jaguar Team Service Award went to Coach Melissa Brocato’s softball team.
Andrew Todd, a distance runner, was named the recipient of the Gerald Daise Leadership Award. Jacob Burgamy, who coaches cross-country and track and field, was named AU coach of the year. Burgamy led the AU men to yet another Peach Belt cross-country title, and the women finished second.
The most outstanding athletes in Individual sports went to the following: McBride (women’s cross-country); Jaynes (men’s cross-country); Janvier Buggs (volleyball); Josalyn Branch (women’s track and field); Jalen Bolton (men’s track and field); Quinasia Abercrombie (women’s basketball); Max Amadasun (men’s basketball); Priscilla Landy (women’s tennis); Arthur Valette (men’s tennis; Ansley Gibson (softball); Parker Ingram (baseball); Kiera Gonzalez-McCarthy (women’s golf); Stefan Jacobs (men’s golf); Quania Reid (cheerleading), and Brooklyn Reynolds (Dance).
The event was held at the Augusta Marriott Convention Center.
Senior distance runner Avery Jaynes was named the outstanding male athlete for 2024-25. He was conference champion in cross-country and in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the outdoor track and field championships. At the top of the page, distance runner Emily McBride (left) and volleyball hitter Sophia Kruczko shared the outstanding female athlete award. (photos by Paula Toole/AU Athletics)
